CHECK OUT BLOGS ABOUT EARLIER MASTER'S THESES

MASTER'S THESIS TOPICS FOR SPRING 2023

• High performance management system for radical change

  High performance management system for radical change

  When firms are confronting the need for radical change, there is a need to develop management systems that motivate employees for innovation. We want to examine leaders and employees’ experiences with these systems and whether high performance systems trigger, support or hinder radical change. One hazard is that new management systems may undermine the established culture of the firm. Another is that there is formal or informal employee resistance.

  We are keen to work with master students who are motivated to explore Norwegian management approaches to radical change. In addition to providing supervision we will also assist in identifying relevant Norwegian firms for the collection and analysis of rich data.

  Contact person: Karen Modesta Olsen, Alexander M. Sandvik and Paul Gooderham

• Sustainable cross-sector partnerships for innovation

  Sustainable cross-sector partnerships for innovation

  The public, the voluntary and the private sector increasingly realize that solving the big societal or wicked problems require complex partnerships across sectors. These wicked problems call for new and innovative solutions, but managing these partnerships is far from straightforward and many fail to deliver on their promises. We are interested in master students who want to explore this avenue of research and find cases that can shed light on what makes these partnerships successful and how they can be managed.

  Contact person: Christine B. Meyer

• Effective Teams

  Effective Teams

  Teams are often used to ensure efficient deliveries and sharing of highly specialized knowledge. However, globalization and modern technology imply increasing reliance on more “dynamic” and agile forms of cooperation. What makes teams work effectively in these settings? For example, how do relationships between team members form and develop over time, and how can leaders facilitate for trust and a psychological safe work climate?

  Contact persons: Therese E. Svedrup and Vidar Schei

• Innovating leadership to innovate organizations

  Innovating leadership to innovate organizations

  The current disruptive context requires organizations to innovate to survive, maintain relevance and contribute to sustainability. Past research has claimed that leadership must also be innovative for innovation to occur in organizations.

  Yet, to date, the role of leadership agents and the process of leadership (e.g. how leaders act) when succeeding in achieving innovation in their organizations remains under-researched. Specifically, few Norwegian organizations have been internationally recognized for their innovations, and we need more research to examine how leadership may be developed to support innovation. As part of a larger DIG RaCE research- and competency project involving NHH, AFF and SNF abbreviated LEAD IN we are interested in supervising master students examining the research questions such as: How is leadership executed in innovative versus non-innovative organizations?

  Contact persons: Synnøve Nesse and Anne Line Grepne

• The role of the executive board in radical change and innovation

  The role of the executive board in radical change and innovation

  The role of the Executive Board has evolved from monitoring performance, controlling the financial aspects and approving strategy to becoming increasingly involved in and responsible for the strategic direction of the firm, not the least in terms renewing the established firm. This project seeks to map existing research on the role of the Executive Board in strategic change and innovation and collect some initial data within the Norwegian context. Preferably on how the Executive Board facilitates innovation driven by sustainability needs/goals.

  Contact person: Inger Stensaker

APPLICATION 

Please fill out the online application form to apply to the program, where you include grade transcripts and a brief application letter (max 1 page) with information about your background, motivation to study the topic(s) of interest, preliminary research questions, and date for thesis submission.

The application deadline is 15 October 2022.

Go to the application form

WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER?

• Your advisor will be very dedicated to the topic and your work. People will be waiting to hear the results (advisor, research team and industry people)
• We have established relationships with corporate partners and networks, so in most cases we can help you with access. Although not all topics require access. Sometimes you can write your thesis on existing data.
• You’ll become a part of a team. A team of researchers and a team of master students. We arrange meetings for you to network, and to challenge and support each other.
• You'll have access to up to NOK 10.000 per thesis for travelling and other expenses.